Yahoo News Health experts urge young people to take up HPV vaccine that can protect them against cancers
Young people are being urged to take up the HPV vaccine in schools when offered - a jab that can protect them against some cancers.
According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), latest figures overall indicate that uptake of the jab is stabilising, with encouraging signs of increases when people are first offered the vaccine in year 8. However, HPV vaccine uptake among school pupils is still well below pre-pandemic levels of around 90%.
The data includes HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine uptake rates for the 2023 to 2024 academic year, following the move from two doses to one dose through the routine adolescent HPV programme in September 2023. It shows that uptake among year 8 females was 72.9% (1.6% higher than the previous year) and 67.7% for year 8 males (2.5% higher than the previous year).
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Meanwhile, uptake among year 9 females was 74.1% (1.6% lower than the previous year) and 68.5% for year 9 males (1.2% lower than previous year). Uptake among year 10 females was 76.7% (6.5% lower than the previous year) and 71.2% for year 10 males (7.4% lower than the previous year).
The NHS HPV vaccination programme in England has been shown to have dramatically lowered HPV infections and rates of cervical cancer in vaccine-eligible women, with the strongest effects seen in those offered vaccination at younger ages. HPV vaccination also protects men and women against genital warts and other cancers of the genital areas and anus, as well as some mouth and throat (head and neck) cancers.
The HPV vaccine has been offered to all girls in school year 8 since September 2008. From September 2019, the vaccine has also been offered to year 8 boys. This is because the evidence is clear that the HPV vaccine helps protect both boys and girls from HPV-related cancers.
Dr Sharif Ismail, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: "The HPV vaccine is one of the most successful in the world, now given as just a single dose helping to prevent HPV related cancers from developing in boys and girls. It’s great to see HPV uptake rates increasing for when children are first offered the vaccine in year 8, but we need to ensure that more young people who do not take up the original offer for any reason are caught up.
"Good progress was made to catch up older children immediately after the pandemic and we need to ensure these efforts are sustained. Our overall uptake rates are still behind on pre-pandemic years.
"We urge young people to take up this potentially life-saving vaccine when offered. Look out for the invitation from your school and if you missed your HPV vaccine, you can contact your GP practice to arrange an appointment - you remain eligible to receive the vaccine until your 25th birthday."
Cancer Research UK’s chief executive, Michelle Mitchell, said: "Every year, around 3,300 people are diagnosed with cervical cancer in the UK. Thanks to the power of research and efforts of NHS staff, we can eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem in our lifetime - the HPV vaccine combined with cervical screening can help to bring about a future virtually free from the disease. The science is clear: HPV vaccination is safe and effective, and I encourage all eligible people to take up these life-saving offers."
The NHS HPV vaccine programme is offered to school aged children in years 8 to 11, with a catch-up offer available at GPs for those eligible.
